Last summer Mishcon paid Starmer £4,500 a month for six hours' work (Source: Getty)

Catherine Neilan

Labour frontbencher and shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer has turned down a role with law firm Mishcon de Reya after concerns were raised that it might present a conflict of interest.

Mishcon, which represented investment banker Gina Miller during her successful high court challenge over Article 50, was in talks about appointing Starmer in an advisory role similar to one he held prior to joining the front benches.

James Cleverly MP wrote to the Labour frontbencher yesterday asking him to clarify his position. In his letter he noted that as well as being shadow Brexit secretary he had "also recently been made a member of the Privy Council, which will allow you privileged acecss to documents and information".